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Texpatriate’s Questions for Michael Kubosh

Editorial note: This is the thirteenth in our series of electronic interviews with City Council, City Controller and Mayoral candidates. We have sent 10 questions based on seven different templates: (1) incumbent City Council, (2) challenger City Council, (3) open seat City Council, (4) challenger Controller, (5) incumbent Controller, (6) challenger Mayoral and (7) incumbent Mayoral. The following are verbatim copies of the questions sent out and the answers received.

Michael Kubosh, Candidate for the Houston City Council at-large Position #3

Texpatriate: What is your name?MK: Michael Kubosh

T: What is your current occupation?MK: Harris County Bail Bondsman / Surety

T: Have you run for or held public office before?MK: Yes, Matagorda County constable (1988), State Senate District 7 (2006)

T: What is your political affiliation? We understand that City Council elections are nonpartisan, but this is a point many voters find important. If you are not comfortable currently identifying with a political party, what was the last Political Party’s primary election you voted in (a matter of public record)?MK: Republican

T: Open seats typically attract countless candidates. Why are you specifically running for this seat?MK: I have had a good working relationship with Council member Noriega over the years. Even when we have disagreed she has been willing to sit down and talk and work together. My involvement with the RedLight Camera campaign and the fight against the feeding ordinance, I came to realize that too many Houstonians have not had the opportunity to sit down and be heard. I’m running to make sure that all Houstonian have the chance to be heard I will continue to be their voice as I have been over the years.

T: Are you in contact with the incumbent Councilmember for this position? Would the two of you have a good relationship for a possible transition?MK: I am not in contact with the Melissa Noriega. I have a good relationship with her and we should be able to talk should the need arise.

T: What do you hope to get out of serving on the City Council?MK: I will learn more about the needs of the Citizens of the City and how to solve the financial shortfalls that the City is Facing.

T:What is an ordinance you would introduce in your next term?MK: Repeal of the Feeding Ordinance.

T: Obviously, an officeholder strives to maintain a diverse core constituency and political base, but all candidates have interest groups they have been traditionally strong with and traditionally weak with, respectively. For you, what would be one example of each type of group?MK: Talk is cheap, look at my history again with the Red Light Camera fight, to the feeding ordinance fight, we have united Conservative Republicans, longtime Democratic activists, Libertarians, Food not Bombs. My strong relationships are the image of Houston, of every shape, color and persuasion one can think of.

I do not have a strong relationship with City Hall insiders who seek to profit at the expense of the taxpayers and I have no intention of developing one.

T: What has been the most important thing you have learned in your campaign?MK: How the citizens of this City are needing leadership and direction. There must be transparency in government to restore the trust of the Citizens.